Chapter 37 

After drinking a certain amount, Harriet quickly became intoxicated. Watching his wife, whose cheeks were flushed to her ears, Lennox ran a hand over his face. Kneeling in front of the couch, he shook Harriet’s shoulder.

“Harriet.”

“Mm…”

“Let’s go to bed. Don’t sleep here.”

“Mm, it’s a hassle…”

Like swatting away a mosquito, Harriet pushed his hand away and fell asleep, turning her back. With no other choice, Lennox sighed and carefully carried her princess-style to the bed.

“Mm…”

As soon as she lay on the bed, Harriet turned over. At the same time, the robe parted slightly, revealing a thin slip. Lennox, engraving patience in his heart, tidied her disheveled hair and gently covered her with the blanket. Harriet grabbed his hand and rubbed it against her cheek.

“Coco?”

“It’s cool, feels nice…”

While Lennox froze in surprise, Harriet purred contentedly like a cat that had drunk milk, pulling his hand closer to feel the coolness.

Though her grip was weak, Lennox was pulled down, ending up in a position over her.

The sight of Harriet lying beneath him was provocative and sensual enough to appear in dreams. The glimpse of her cleavage through the slip made Lennox clench his other hand tightly to exercise extreme self-control.

Unaware of his struggle, Harriet reached up and pulled him by the neck. Lennox, gritting his teeth, felt a vein stand out on his forehead.

“…You brought this on yourself. Don’t blame me.”

His lips descended on hers. Harriet, without resistance, opened her mouth and accepted Lennox’s tongue like a kitten nursing from its mother.

* * *

When Harriet opened her eyes, it was already noon, with the sun high in the sky. Waking up late, she pulled the bell cord, and instead of a maid, Philomena came to the bedroom.

“Did you sleep well, young madam?”

“Oh… yes.”

Meeting her eyes, Harriet turned her gaze away. The events of last night were hazily remembered in her mind. It was embarrassing and awkward to know that Philomena had praised her so much, yet she had shown the disgrace of getting drunk early at night and sleeping until the next morning.

Thinking her embarrassment was due to shyness, Philomena approached and gently consoled her.

“I had a word with the young master. I can’t believe he encouraged you to drink so much knowing you’re not good with alcohol.”

“…No.”

Though she didn’t remember well, she was sure she had drunk on her own. Grateful to Lennox for taking the blame, Harriet changed the subject.

“By the way, where is he?”

“With the weather so clear today, he’s gone for a walk around the island with my husband for exercise. After swimming, he’ll probably return in about three hours.”

Philomena, turning her back, opened all the curtains and windows to let in fresh air.

Harriet took a deep breath of the wind blowing beyond the window. As the clear and pure air filled the room, she felt invigorated and a positive energy coursing through her body.

“Waking up late, you must be hungry. I anticipated you’d wake around this time and had a simple meal prepared.”

“Have you had lunch, Philomena?”

“No, not yet. I plan to eat with the maids a little later.”

“That’s perfect. Then have lunch with me.”

“What? That’s…”

Philomena, eyes wide, bit her lip in embarrassment.

No matter how long one has served a master and formed a comfortable relationship, there is still a hierarchy and order. Moreover, she couldn’t stand by and watch the young madam, who had just entered the Ducal family, do something that could be criticized. While contemplating how to politely refuse, a decisive blow came.

“I don’t want to eat alone. It’s boring and lonely.”

“…”

“If you refuse, Philomena, I’ll have to eat alone, feeling lonely. There’s no choice.”

If it were an order, she might have found a way to refuse. But seeing the expression of a dejected puppy with drooping shoulders, she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

“Then… shall we eat together this time?”

Philomena, surprised by the weak words that slipped out unconsciously, quickly covered her mouth. But it was already too late.

“Great. Let’s have a meal and tea together.”

Harriet nodded as if she had been waiting for this, and stepped down from the bed.

* * *

Fortunately, there was no hangover, so her body felt light and refreshed. After a good sleep and a satisfying meal and snack, she felt so relaxed that it seemed like heaven.

Taking advantage of the improved weather, Harriet went straight to the study and wrote letters to be sent on the ship carrying necessities.

One letter was to her mother, Margaret, who was waiting for contact, another to Olivia, and another to Yvonne.

As soon as she finished writing the letters and sent someone with them, her wrist began to ache. She clasped her hands together and stretched long, just as a knock sounded and Philomena entered with tea, placing it on the desk.

“You must have had many letters to write.”

“Just here and there. Thanks for the tea.”

“You’re welcome.”

Philomena, smiling kindly, noticed the discarded letter in the wastebasket.

“Did you stop writing that letter?”

“Oh, that one.”

It was a letter addressed to Claire. Since she was pregnant, Harriet had written to ask how she was doing, but she ended up crumpling it. She thought there was no need to write a letter since she had already entrusted Claire to someone reliable and she was likely doing well. Besides, she felt unnecessarily guilty towards Olivier.

As Harriet hesitated to answer with a complex expression, the perceptive Philomena changed the subject.

“Have you finished all the urgent matters?”

“Yes. There’s no one else to send letters to. For now.”

“That’s great!”

Philomena clapped her hands and her eyes sparkled.

“Then, if you don’t mind, would you like to go to the small room at the end of the first-floor corridor?”

“The small room on the first floor?”

It was an area she hadn’t particularly visited while staying at the villa. She had been curious and tried to visit once, but the door was locked, so she hadn’t looked inside.

“What’s there? Isn’t it just a guest room?”

“No! There are portraits of the young master from when he was just born until now.”

“Really?”

Surprised by the unexpected information, Harriet perked up her ears. Philomena, smiling as if she expected this reaction, nodded.

“The young master said to show you anything you wish to see, Madam. If you’d like, I can guide you there.”

[Continued in Volume 2]